Logo

Pregnancy-Associated Breast Cancer: Significance of Early Detection and Imaging Appearance

Author(s):
Donya FarrokhDonya Farrokh1,*
1Department of Radiology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran


Published online:Feb 28, 2014
Article type:Research Article
How to Cite:Donya FarrokhPregnancy-Associated Breast Cancer: Significance of Early Detection and Imaging Appearance.I J Radiol.11(30th Iranian Congress of Radiology):e21253.https://doi.org/10.5812/iranjradiol.21253.

Abstract

Background/Objectives:

To evaluate the mammographic and sonographic findings of pregnancy associated breast cancer.

Patients and Methods:

In this study, we selected 25 patients who were diagnosed with pregnancy associated breast cancer during the previous 10 years. The disease was diagnosed during pregnancy (n = 5) or lactation (n = 20). All patients underwent ultrasonography, the first choice for evaluation of pregnancy associated breast disease. Mammography was performed for 22 patients.

Results:

The commonest clinical symptom was a breast lump. Ultrasound was abnormal in all cases. The most common ultrasound finding was a solitary hypo echoic mass with irregular shape, irregular margin, and heterogeneous echogenicity. Architectural distortion was seen in two patients. Some unusual sonographic findings for breast cancer were detected in these patients, including parallel orientation, cystic components, and posterior enhancement. Mammography was performed for 22 patients and revealed positive findings in 80% of cases despite a dense breast. The most common mammographic finding was a breast mass with or without microcalcification (n = 10). Microcalcification alone was seen in 2 patients. Lesions, were predominantly invasive ductal carcinoma (96%).

Conclusions:

Ultrasonography is recommended for the initial diagnosis of pregnancy associated breast cancer. Mammography is indicated when initial evaluation suggests a malignant lesion or when ultrasound is negative in spite of a palpable breast lesion. When the imaging results are suspicious, a biopsy should be performed to obtain a pathologic diagnosis.

Keywords

Full Text

Full text is available in PDF

comments

Leave a comment here


Crossmark
Crossmark
Checking
Share on
Cited by
Metrics

Purchasing Reprints

  • Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) handles bulk orders for article reprints for Brieflands. To place an order for reprints, please click here (   https://www.copyright.com/landing/reprintsinquiryform/ ). Clicking this link will bring you to a CCC request form where you can provide the details of your order. Once complete, please click the ‘Submit Request’ button and CCC’s Reprints Services team will generate a quote for your review.